Caladium plant named ‘Restless Heart’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of  Caladium  plant named ‘Restless Heart’, characterized by its intermediate height and upright plant habit; leaf petioles upright to outwardly leaning with development; vigorous growth habit and rapid growth rate; fancy type leaves that are very dark green in color with red-colored venation and interveinal areas that are reddish pink in color with random red orange and green coalescing spots and splotches; and petioles that are tan green and distally, tan pink in color.

Botanical designation: Caladium X hortulanum.

Cultivar denomination: ‘RESTLESS HEART’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Caladiumplant, botanically known as Caladium X hortulanum, commercially referredto as a fancy leaf-type Caladium and hereinafter referred to by the name‘Restless Heart’.

The objective of the Inventor's breeding program is to create newCaladium plants that have uniform plant habit, exceptional container andgarden performance and attractive and unique leaf coloration.

The new Caladium plant originated from a cross-pollination made by theInventor in April, 2010 in Avon Park, Fla. of Caladium X hortulanum ‘RedFlash’, not patented, as the female, or seed, parent with Caladium Xhortulanum ‘Twist N' Shout’, not patented, as the male, or pollen,parent. The new Caladium plant was discovered and selected by theInventor as a single plant within the progeny of the statedcross-pollination in a controlled outdoor nursery environment in ZolfoSprings, Fla. in September, 2011.

Asexual reproduction of the new Caladium plant by ‘chipping’ the tubers(cutting the tuber into segments with each segment containing anaxillary bud and tuber cortical tissue) in a controlled outdoor nurseryenvironment in Zolfo Springs, Fla. since April, 2012 has shown that theunique features of this new Caladium plant are stable and reproducedtrue to type in successive generations of asexual reproduction.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Plants of the new Caladium have not been observed under all possiblecombinations of environmental conditions and cultural practices. Thephenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environmental conditionssuch as temperature and light intensity, without, however, any variancein genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe the unique characteristics of ‘Restless Heart’. These characteristicsin combination distinguish ‘Restless Heart’ as a new and distinctCaladium plant:

-   -   1. Intermediate in height and upright plant habit; leaf petioles        upright to outwardly leaning with development.    -   2. Vigorous growth habit and rapid growth rate.    -   3. Fancy type leaves that are very dark green in color with        red-colored venation and interveinal areas that are reddish pink        in color with random red orange and green coalescing spots and        splotches.    -   4. Petioles that are tan green and distally, tan pink in color.

Plants of the new Caladium differ primarily from plants of the femaleparent, ‘Red Flash’, in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new Caladium are shorter than plants of ‘Red        Flash’.    -   2. Plants of the new Caladium and ‘Red Flash’ differ in leaf        color as leaves of ‘Red Flash’ have red-colored venation and        interveinal areas with pink and white-colored spots and dark        green-colored borders.    -   3. Plants of the new Caladium and ‘Red Flash’ differ in leaf        petiole color as leaf petioles of ‘Red Flash’ are red pink to        tan pink in color with darker-colored stipples, stripes and        tessellations.

Plants of the new Caladium differ primarily from plants of the maleparent, ‘Twist N' Shout’, in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new Caladium are denser than plants of ‘Twist        N' Shout’.    -   2. Plants of the new Caladium and ‘Twist N' Shout’ differ in        leaf color as leaves of ‘Twist N' Shout’ are olive green in        color with green to coppery bronze-colored venation and coppery        orange-colored spots and blotches.    -   3. Plants of the new Caladium and ‘Twist N' Shout’ differ in        leaf petiole color as leaf petioles of ‘Twist N' Shout’ are        green in color.

Plants of the new Caladium can be compared to plants of Caladium Xhortulanum ‘Frieda Hemple’, not patented. In side-by-side comparisons,plants of the new Caladium differ primarily from plants of ‘FriedaHemple’ in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new Caladium and ‘Frieda Hemple’ differ in leaf        color as leaves of ‘Frieda Hemple’ are medium green in color        with bright red-colored centers and venation.    -   2. Plants of the new Caladium and ‘Frieda Hemple’ differ in leaf        petiole color as leaf petioles of ‘Frieda Hemple’ appear to be        almost black in color.

Plants of the new Caladium can be compared to plants of Caladium Xhortulanum ‘Postman Joyner’, not patented. In side-by-side comparisons,plants of the new Caladium differ primarily from plants of ‘PostmanJoyner’ in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new Caladium and ‘Postman Joyner’ differ in        leaf color as leaves of ‘Postman Joyner’ are dark green in color        with bright red-colored centers.    -   2. Plants of the new Caladium and ‘Postman Joyner’ differ in        leaf petiole color as leaf petioles of ‘Postman Joyner’ are dark        olive green and dark brown appearing to be almost black in        color.

Plants of the new Caladium can be compared to plants of Caladium Xhortulanum ‘Freckles’, disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 27,943. Inside-by-side comparisons, plants of the new Caladium differ primarilyfrom plants of ‘Freckles’ in leaf color as leaves of plants of‘Freckles’ are dark green in color with orange and pink-colored spotsand blotches.

Plants of the new Caladium can also be compared to plants of Caladium Xhortulanum ‘Burning Heart’, disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 27,071. Inside-by-side comparisons, plants of the new Caladium differ primarilyfrom plants of ‘Burning Heart’ in leaf color as leaves of plants of‘Burning Heart’ are bronze in color with contrasting salmonorange-colored spots.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photographs illustrate the overall appearance of thenew Caladium plant showing the colors as true as it is reasonablypossible to obtain in colored reproductions of this type. Colors in thephotographs may differ slightly from the color values cited in thedetailed botanical description which accurately describe the colors ofthe new Caladium plant.

The photograph on the first sheet is a side perspective view of atypical plant of ‘Restless Heart’ in a container and grown in ashadehouse (tuber not de-eyed).

The photograph at the top of the second sheet is a comparison view oftypical potted plants of the female parent, ‘Red Flash’ (right),‘Restless Heart’ (center) and the male parent, ‘Twist N' Shout’ (left).

The photograph at the bottom of the second sheet is a comparison view oftypical potted plants of ‘Frieda Hemple’ (left), ‘Restless Heart’(center) and ‘Postman Joyner’ (right).

The photograph at the top of the third sheet is a side perspective viewof typical plants of ‘Restless Heart’ grown in an open field.

The photograph at the bottom of the third sheet is a close-up view oftypical freshly-harvested tubers with roots and leaf petioles of‘Restless Heart’.

The photograph at the top of the fourth sheet is a comparison view oftypical plants of ‘Restless Heart’ grown in containers; the plant on theleft has not had its tuber de-eyed and the plant on the right has hadits tuber de-eyed prior to planting.

The photograph at the bottom of the fourth sheet is a close-up view of atypical inflorescence of ‘Restless Heart’.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The aforementioned photographs and following observations andmeasurements describe plants grown in 15-cm containers in apolypropylene-covered shadehouse (50% light reduction) in Avon Park,Fla. and plants grown in ground beds under full sunlight conditions inan outdoor nursery in Crewsville, Fla. The plants were grown undercultural practices typical of commercial shadehouse and outdoor nurseryproduction. During the production of the shadehouse-grown plants, daytemperatures ranged from about 28° C. to 33° C., night temperaturesranged from about 22° C. to 25° C. and light levels were about 8,000foot-candles. During the production of the outdoor nursery-grown plants,day temperatures ranged from about 29° C. to 35° C., night temperaturesranged from about 23° C. to 26° C. and light levels ranged from about10,000 to 12,000 foot-candles. Plants grown in the shadehouse were sevenweeks old and plants grown in the outdoor nursery were eight months oldwhen the photographs and the detailed description were taken. In thefollowing description, color references are made to The RoyalHorticultural Society Colour Chart, 2001 Edition, except where generalterms of ordinary dictionary significance are used.

-   Botanical classification: Caladium X hortulanum ‘Restless Heart’.-   Parentage:    -   -   Female, or seed, parent.—Caladium X hortulanum ‘Red Flash’,            not patented.        -   Male, or pollen, parent.—Caladium X hortulanum ‘Twist N'            Shout’, not patented.-   Propagation:    -   -   Type.—By “chipping” the tubers.        -   Time to initiate roots, summer.—About seven to ten days at            temperatures about 32° C.        -   Time to initiate roots, winter.—About two to three weeks at            temperatures about 24° C.        -   Tuber description (outdoor nursery-grown            plants).—Appearance: Multi-segmented; individual segments            irregularly elliptic to ovate in shape. Height: About            2.7 cm. Diameter: About 3.3 cm to 5.8 cm. Segment height:            About 1.5 cm to 2 cm. Segment diameter: About 2 cm. Texture:            Thick, starchy; somewhat brittle. Color: Epidermis,            freshly-harvested: Close to 199B and N199B. Epidermis,            dried: Close to 200A to 200B. Cortical tissue: Close to 1D            and 2D. Axillary buds: Close to N155C. Root description:            Thick, fleshy contractile roots with few lateral branches;            color, close to N155D. Rooting habit: Medium density.-   Plant description:    -   -   Plant type.—Herbaceous perennial; suitable as a potted plant            in containers 15-cm to 25-cm and suitable as a landscape            plant in shaded areas.        -   Plant and growth habit.—Intermediate in height and upright            plant habit; vigorous growth habit and rapid growth rate;            potted plants in finished or saleable form in about seven            weeks after planting tubers; leaf petioles and leaves arise            from one or more growing points on tubers; petioles mostly            upright and outwardly leaning with development;            inflorescences held at the foliar plane on strong upright            scapes.        -   Plant height, from soil level to top of foliar plane,            shadehouse-grown potted plants.—About 29 cm to 33 cm.        -   Plant height, from soil level to top of inflorescences,            shadehouse-grown potted plants.—About 34.5 cm.        -   Plant diameter or spread, shadehouse-grown potted            plants.—About 38 cm to 40 cm.        -   Number of shoots per plant, shadehouse-grown potted plants,            tubers not de-eyed.—About one to two develop per #1 tuber.        -   Number of shoots per plant, shadehouse-grown potted plants,            tubers de-eyed.—About three to four develop per #1 tuber.        -   Cataphylls, shadehouse-grown potted plants.—Length: About 6            cm to 10.3 cm. Width: About 1.2 cm to 1.6 cm. Shape:            Deltoid. Apex: Acute to acuminate. Base: Sheathing the stem.            Color, inner surface: Close to N155C; colors and patterns on            the outer surface are visible on the inner surface. Color,            outer surface: Close to N170D tinged with close to 182C and            182D; streaked and stippled with close to 195A tinged with            close to 177D, with development, color becoming closer to            199B.-   Leaf description:    -   -   Arrangement and type.—Alternate; simple; fancy type.        -   Length, shadehouse-grown potted plants.—About 18.4 cm to            24.3 cm.        -   Width, shadehouse-grown potted plants.—About 13.2 cm to 17.6            cm; when flattened, about 13.8 cm to 18 cm.        -   Shape.—Ovate.        -   Apex.—Acute or cuspidate.        -   Base.—Sagittate to peltate.        -   Margin.—Entire; wavy with broad undulations.        -   Texture, upper and lower surfaces.—Smooth, glabrous.        -   Luster, upper surface.—Dull sheen.        -   Luster, lower surface.—Glaucous, dull sheen.        -   Venation pattern.—Pinnate.        -   Color, shadehouse-grown potted plants.—Developing and fully            expanded leaves, upper surface: Background color: Close to            147A tinged with close to 139A or close to 147A tinged with            close to 183C. Margins: Close to 147A tinged with close to            139A or close to 147A tinged with close to 183C. Basal            notch: Close to 53B and 187C. Midvein and primary venation:            Close to 53B tinged with close to 53A. Areas surrounding            venation: Close to 53B. Interveinal areas: Close to 53B.            Random spots and splotches: Close to 47A, close to 47A            tinged with close to 181B, or close to 147A tinged with            close to 139A or close to 147A tinged with close to 183B to            183C. Developing and fully expanded leaves, lower surface:            Background color: Close to 191A. Margins: Close to 191A.            Basal notch: Close to 187C. Midvein: Close to 185B streaked            with close to 185A. Primary venation: Close to 185B. Leaf            center and areas surrounding venation: Close to 185B or            darker than 185B. Interveinal areas: Random sectors, close            to N170C tinged with close to 182D or close to 191A.        -   Petioles.—Aspect: Initially upright and straight; with            development, somewhat outwardly leaning; flexible. Length,            shadehouse-grown potted plants: About 19 cm to 23.2 cm.            Diameter, distally, shadehouse-grown potted plants: About            3.5 mm to 5 mm. Diameter, proximally, shadehouse-grown            potted plants: About 7 mm to 11 mm. Texture: Smooth,            glabrous. Color, shadehouse-grown potted plants: Close to            147B with areas flushed with close to 182D and faintly            streaked, stippled and tessellated with close to 177D;            proximally, close to 148C and 148D tinged with close to 147B            and faintly streaked, stippled and tessellated with close to            147B; below the leaf and petiole junction, close to 51C to            51D and 49C variably tinged with close to 147D and streaked            and stippled with close to 185B. Wing length,            shadehouse-grown potted plants: About 3.3 cm to 4.2 cm. Wing            diameter, shadehouse-grown potted plants: About 6 mm.            Texture and luster, inner and outer surfaces: Smooth,            glabrous; dull. Wing color, shadehouse-grown potted plants:            Inner surface: Close to N155C; colors and patterns on the            outer surface are visible on the inner surface. Outer            surface: Close to 196C tinged with close to N170D and 148B,            streaked and stippled with close to 147A and tinged with            close to 200C.-   Inflorescence description: Inflorescences observed on seven week-old    shadehouse-grown potted plants.    -   -   Inflorescence arrangement.—Upright hooded spathes            surrounding a columnar spadix borne on a tall upright scape;            spadix with sessile, simple female and male flowers            separated into two zones; female flowers develop on the            proximal one-third of the spadix; male flowers develop on            the distal two-thirds of the spadix; sterile flowers develop            at junction of female and male flower zones; near this            junction, the spathe constricts and surrounds and encloses            the female flowers; spathe open and cupped around male            flowers.        -   Fragrance.—Night-fragrant; jasmine-like with camphor note.        -   Natural flowering season and flower longevity.—Plants of the            new Caladium typically flower during the spring in central            Florida; flowers develop about seven weeks after growth            commences; inflorescences last about three days before            fading; inflorescences persistent.        -   Spathe.—Length, overall: About 12.5 cm. Length, distal open            portion: About 8.3 cm. Length, proximal closed portion:            About 4.2 cm. Width, distal open portion: About 5.4 cm.            Depth, distal open portion: About 2.5 cm. Width, at            constriction: About 1.35 cm. Width, proximal closed portion:            About 2.6 cm. Shape, open portion: Elliptic. Apex: Acute to            acuminate. Base: Obtuse. Margin: Entire; smooth or slightly            reflexed. Texture, front and rear surfaces: Smooth,            glabrous. Luster, front surface: Dull sheen. Luster, rear            surface: Dull sheen; proximally, slightly glaucous. Color,            front surface: Distal open portion: Close to 155C with            sparse and fine speckles, close to 183B and 183C; with            development, color becoming closer to 199B. Proximal closed            portion: Close to 194A; towards the base, darkly flushed            with close to 187A; color does not change with development.            Color, rear surface: Distal open portion: Close to 155B;            center, flushed with close to 145C to 145D; color does not            change with development. Proximal closed portion: Close to            147B and 147C with diffuse mottling and flecks, close to            183C and 187B; color does not change with development.        -   Spadix.—Length, overall: About 9.4 cm. Length, male flower            zone: About 6.3 cm. Length, sterile zone: About 1.3 cm.            Length, female flower zone: About 1.8 cm. Diameter, male            flower zone: About 9 mm. Diameter, sterile flower zone:            About 6 mm. Diameter, female flower zone: About 8 mm. Shape:            Columnar, spindle-shaped. Apex: Acute. Base: Obtuse. Aspect:            Upright. Color, mature, male zone: Close to 11D. Color,            mature, sterile zone: Close to 158D. Color, mature, female            zone: Close to 158C. Male flowers: Quantity per spadix:            About 160. Shape: Obovate. Height: About 3 mm. Diameter:            About 2.8 mm. Pollen amount: Moderate. Pollen color: Close            to 9D. Female flowers: Quantity per spadix: About 158.            Shape: Obovate. Height: About 2 mm. Diameter: About 2 mm.            Stigma color: Close to 158C. Ovary color: Close to 158C.        -   Scape.—Length: About 22 cm. Diameter: About 5.8 mm.            Strength: Sturdy; flexible. Aspect: Mostly erect. Texture            and luster: Smooth, glabrous; dull sheen; distally,            glaucous. Color: Close to 147B with areas flushed with close            to 182D and faintly streaked, stippled and tessellated with            close to 177D; towards the base, close to 148C and 148D            tinged with close to 147B and faintly streaked, stippled and            tessellated with close to 147B; just below spathe, close to            147D tinged with close to 51C to 51D and 49C and streaked            and stippled with close to 185B.        -   Seeds and fruits.—To date, seed and fruit development have            not been observed on plants of the new Caladium.-   Disease & pest tolerance: Plants of the new Caladium have been    observed to have average tolerance to Pythium Root Rot and above    average tolerance to Xanthomonas Leaf Spot. Plants of the new    Caladium have not been observed to have resistance to pests and    other pathogens common to Caladium plants.-   Temperature tolerance: Plants of the new Caladium have been observed    to be tolerant to temperatures ranging from about 7° C. to about    40° C. and are suitable for USDA Hardiness Zones 8A to 11. In cooler    zones, tubers can be “lifted” prior to first freeze and stored in a    cool dry environment overwinter for re-planting the following    spring.

It is claimed:
 1. A new and distinct Caladium plant named ‘RestlessHeart’ as illustrated and described.